What are the reasons for a car stalling a few seconds after starting?
2 Answers
The reasons for a car stalling a few seconds after starting are: 1. Stalling caused by carbon deposits, which can accumulate in the throttle valve, spark plugs, cylinders, fuel lines, intake ducts, etc. These are a coking-like substance produced by fuel under high temperatures and are difficult to remove physically, requiring cleaning with chemical agents; 2. Fuel quality and clogged fuel injectors. Using low-quality fuel can produce more carbon deposits, clogging the fuel injectors and resulting in poor atomization; 3. Ignition system issues, such as carbon buildup on spark plugs and insufficient ignition voltage; 4. Power supply problems, where the battery is severely depleted, making it difficult for the engine to start.
My old Buick Excelle had this exact issue - it would roar twice during ignition then completely stall. After hours of troubleshooting, we found the fuel pump had failed. That component sits inside the fuel tank, and its filter screen had become so clogged over the years it looked like stuffed with cotton, starving the engine of fuel. Another time, the crankshaft position sensor connector came loose - when that part malfunctions, the ECU goes haywire. During a car wash last time, we even discovered a crack in the intake hose throwing off the MAF sensor readings, causing the ECU to cut fuel as protection. These kinds of failures shouldn't be ignored - the smartest move is to immediately scan for trouble codes with an OBD-II scanner rather than guessing blindly.
